A New Road

The report argues that hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) can bridge the gap between current conventional vehicle technology and the long-term adoption of hydrogen fuel cells. It categorizes hybrids into mild, full, and plug-in types based on technological steps like regenerative braking and electric-only drive. Modeling suggests a passenger fleet using advanced full hybrids could reach an average of 60 mpg, significantly reducing oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while remaining cost-effective for consumers over the vehicle's lifetime.

• A passenger vehicle fleet utilizing advanced full hybrid technology could achieve an average fuel economy of 60 mpg, representing a nearly 150% improvement over the model year 2000 average of 23.8 mpg.
• Conventional technology alone could raise the passenger fleet average to 40 mpg, with an average retail price increase of $1,700 and lifetime gasoline savings of $3,800, resulting in a net consumer savings of $2,100.
• Advanced mild hybrids can reach nearly 50 mpg with a retail price increase of approximately $2,900, yielding lifetime gasoline savings of $4,700 and a net savings of $1,500 after battery replacement costs.
• Advanced full hybrids (40% peak power) would cost about $4,000 more at retail but save nearly $5,500 in gasoline over the vehicle's life, resulting in an average net savings of $900 including battery replacement.
• Hybrid vehicles serve as a critical technological bridge for 10 to 20 years, filling the gap between the peak of conventional fuel economy gains and the market readiness of hydrogen fuel cells.
• The report defines hybrids through five technological steps: idle-off capability, regenerative braking, engine downsizing, electric-only drive, and extended battery-electric range (plug-in).
• Hybridization can significantly improve the efficiency of SUVs; an advanced full hybrid mid-size SUV could reach 50.2 mpg and provide net lifetime savings of $540.
• Hybrids do not offer substantial advantages over conventional vehicles in reducing tailpipe pollution, as many conventional cars can already meet the SULEV or Federal Tier 2-Bin 2 standards.
• Hybrid technology can improve SUV safety by placing batteries in a way that creates a lower center of gravity, reducing the likelihood of tipping over.
• The success of hybrid vehicles depends on automakers implementing the best available technology rather than simply adding motors to existing designs, and on government support through regulations and tax credits.

APA

FRIEDMAN, D. (2003). A New Road. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/hybrid2003_final.pdf

Chicago

FRIEDMAN, DAVID. A New Road. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2003. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/hybrid2003_final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=FRIEDMAN |first1=DAVID |title=A New Road |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=January 2003 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/hybrid2003_final.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friedman2003new, author = {FRIEDMAN, DAVID}, title = {{A New Road}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2003}, month = jan, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/hybrid2003_final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }